“We're going to hunker down and write some new tunes," vocalist Russell Johnson said. "Some elements of funk, punk rock, metal, hip-hop — the same stuff we’ve been using … but we have a little bit more to add to it now."

Codalata's tenure in the band began in 1989. Johnson and Wolf later joined to help make Birdmen of Alcatraz an Indiana sensation with drummer Matt Van Kersen.

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Birdmen of Alcatraz perform “Flipmode” as part of the Feb. 1, 2018, episode of “Dogfish Head Brewery presents IndyStar Sessions at Square Cat Vinyl.”
Clark Wade/IndyStar

Birdmen of Alcatraz disbanded in 1996, but the band revived its rap-rock sound for high-profile gigs such as the 2002 edition of X-Fest at Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center (the Noblesville venue originally known as Deer Creek), the 2002 edition of Midwest Music Summit at the Vogue and one of the last shows at the Patio in Broad Ripple before the venue closed in 2005.

The current version of Birdmen of Alcatraz — Johnson, Codalata, Wolf and drummer T.J. Reddington — made its onstage debut in May 2017. The band played a fundraiser for the family of Sean Harbin, an avid supporter of the band who died in 2016.

"It was a real drag to lose Sean, but it was good to see these dudes and be together again," said Johnson of the impetus for the band's new phase.

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Birdmen of Alcatraz perform “Eyes of the World” as part of the Feb. 1, 2018, episode of “Dogfish Head Brewery presents IndyStar Sessions at Square Cat Vinyl.”
Clark Wade/IndyStar

The next episode of "Dogfish Head Brewery presents IndyStar Sessions at Square Cat Vinyl" will star Sleeping Bag at 6 p.m. Feb. 8. The event at Square Cat Vinyl, 1054 Virginia Ave., is free and open to all ages.

Call IndyStar reporter David Lindquist at (317) 444-6404. Follow him on Twitter: @317Lindquist.